BDA likely to lose its planning power; GBA to redraw Bengaluru’s urban future

A historic shift in Bengaluru’s planning framework will transfer key powers from the BDA to the newly formed GBA, reshaping how the city grows and develops.

In a landmark move that could redefine Bengaluru’s urban growth, the Karnataka government is set to strip the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) of its decades-long dominance over city planning. The newly constituted Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) will now take charge of shaping the metropolis, reducing the BDA’s jurisdiction from 1,200 sq km to just 400 sq km, mostly areas with limited development potential.

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Once a powerful planning body, the BDA will now have a diminished role, while the GBA takes on the responsibility for planning nearly 800 sq km of the city, preparing the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP), and approving land use changes (CLU), layouts, and development plans.

This transition is nothing short of a paradigm shift, as transferring a Local Planning Area (LPA) from one authority to another is rare. Builders and developers are expected to flock to the GBA for permissions, as it will also hold the keys to zoning regulations, setback relaxations, height restrictions, building byelaw revisions, and TDR certificates.

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Adding to its sweeping powers, the government plans to empower five newly carved zones under GBA to approve development plans for all building types, no matter the size or floors, provided they comply with zoning norms.

While officials hail this as a progressive step toward a unified and modern planning approach, some within the administration argue that the BDA’s manpower may now go underutilized. Calls are growing to either expand BDA’s jurisdiction or withdraw its planning mandate altogether. 

However, there is no official order issued yet. 

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